Social media is great for deepening bonds, making friends, or finding that special someone. Or is it?
Facebook use is more rampant in Hong Kong than anywhere else on the planet. A BlogHer/Ketchum survey last year found that 92 per cent of those polled log in at least once a week. Yet new research suggests that so-called power users, who contribute much more content than the average Facebook user, are unwittingly revealing undesirable personal traits to their peers.
The recent study also suggests that Facebook is not good for those suffering from low self-esteem.
'We had this idea that Facebook could be a fantastic place for people to strengthen their relationships,' says Amanda Forest of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
This assumption seems fair when applied to most people, especially those with low self-esteem. However, the findings of Forest's research - titled 'When Social Networking is Not Working' - suggest that isn't so.
A control group's last 10 status updates were rated for positivity or negativity, with an anonymous coder - also a regular Facebook user - recording whether they liked or disliked the author. The results revealed that people with low self-esteem were more negative and less likeable, but got more responses from their Facebook friends when they posted positive comments. Conversely, those with high self-esteem used Facebook less, and got more comments and 'like' replies after posting something negative.
Facebook might seem a risk-free forum to vent frustrations, but it's hard to gauge readers' reactions.